1. Of the United States of America TEST DATE: October 25, 2011
The Constitution
Of the United States of America
TEST DATE: October 25, 2011

2. Changing the Articles We NEED a STRONGER Government!!!!
Why do we need to change them?
Many problems:
Not enough Money for Govt.
Cant Repay debts
Bad Foreign Relations (With other Countries)
We NEED a
STRONGER
Government!!!!

3. 4th President of the United States
Primary Author:
Mr. James Madison
4th President of the United States
On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created
The Constitution Becomes Official:
July 2, 1788

4. Part 1: The Preamble (154)
Three Parts of the Constitution- Preamble, Articles, Amendments
1. Preamble
a. states the purpose of the Constitution
b. begins with three words- ___ ____ ______
c. lists six goals of the Constitution 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

5. Part 1: The Preamble Begins with three words- We the People …
Constitutional goals:
1. form a more perfect union
2. establish justice
3. insure domestic tranquility
4. provide for the common defense
5. promote the general welfare
6. secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

6. Part 2: Articles There are __________ Articles.
They describe the sections of the Government
And What Rules they have to Follow to make the Government WORK
They State the 3 Branches of Government, how they work with Each other and how the State and Federal Government will work TOGETHER!

7. Part 3: Amendments Look at Article V.
An Amendment makes Changes or Additions to the Constitution
How many are there? _______
How do you make an amendment?
Look at Article V.
You need ______ of ____________OR
____________ of all State Legislators

8. Part 3: Amendments
An Amendment makes Changes or Additions to the Constitution
How many are there? 27
How do you make an amendment?
You need 2/3 of Members of Both Houses of Congress OR 3/4 of all State Legislators

9. Important Amendments to know:
~ 1-10: Bill of Rights
13th- Slavery is Abolished
17th- Direct Election of Senators
18th- Prohibition
Right to Drink Alcohol
REPEALED! (Page 170)
19th- Women’s Suffrage
Right to Vote

10. The Legislative Branch
Articles 1, 2, & 3:
Set up the Government
***3 Branches to the Government***
The Legislative Branch
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
The Executive Branch
The Supreme Court and US Courts
CONGRESS
Headed by:
The President

11. 1. Legislative branch- makes the laws
includes the two houses of Congress
a. the House of Representatives
b. the Senate
2. Executive Branch- enforces the laws
includes the President, Vice-President and the Cabinet
3. Judicial Branch- interprets the laws
includes the Supreme Court and U. S. courts

12. Article 1: The Legislative Branch
Congress MUST meet at
LEAST
ONE time a year!!
Also known as:
Congress
SENATE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTITIVES

13. 435 100 All 1/3 Depends on Population 2 6 years 2 Years
Name of the Two Houses
House of Representatives
Senate
Total Number of Members
Number of Members from EACH STATE
Requirements to Run for Office
Length of Term
Number of Times to be possibly Elected
Presiding Officer
Portion Elected ever 2 years
435
100
Depends on Population 2
25 y.o., 7 year citizen
Live in the State
30 y.o., 9 year citizen, live in the state
2 Years
6 years
Unlimited Unlimited
Speaker of the House
Vice- President
All 1/3

14. The House of Representatives
Who is the Presiding Officer?
The Speaker
John Boehner
The Senate
Who is the Presiding Officer?
The Vice-President of the United States
Joseph Biden

16. Senators (2)+ HoReps = Electoral Voters

19. States!!!
What Can they do??
Establish Schools, Roads and collect taxes
Only Congress can admit a new territory as a NEW state!